Majorite is a high-pressure garnet variety typically found as microscopic inclusions within diamonds or as a product of meteorite impacts. It is characterized by its high-pressure structure and is highly sought after by mineralogists studying deep mantle processes.

Hardness

7.5

Mohs

Luster

Vitreous

Streak

White

Transparency

Translucent

mineralrareGarnet Group family

Majorite

Hardness: 7.5
Luster: Vitreous
Streak: White
Transparency: Translucent

Is this majorite?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch majorite with a known reference. Majorite sits at Mohs 7.5 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Majorite leaves a white streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Majorite typically shows a vitreous luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: purple, violet, black.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: cubic. Typical habit: equant grains, inclusions in diamonds.

Often confused with

Majorite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.

Often found alongside majorite

Minerals reported to co-occur with majorite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: Mg₃(Fe,Si,Al)₂(SiO₄)₃
Mohs hardness: 7.5
Density: 3.5-3.6 g/cm³
Colors: Purple Violet Black
Streak: White
Luster: Vitreous
Transparency: Translucent
Crystal system: Cubic
Crystal habit: Equant Grains, Inclusions in Diamonds
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector, Scientific Research
Host rock: Mantle-derived Xenoliths, Kimberlites, Meteorite Impact Sites
Typical price: $100-500 per micro-mount or diamond inclusion sample

Where rockhounds find majorite

Classic worldwide localities

Coorara meteorite, Australia
Kokchetav Massif, Kazakhstan
various diamond-bearing kimberlite pipes

Field-hunting tip

Look in mantle-derived xenoliths, kimberlites, meteorite impact sites country — that is the host setting where majorite typically forms. If you start seeing diamond, enstatite, omphacite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a equant grains, inclusions in diamonds habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify majorite?+

Mohs hardness is 7.5. It typically shows a vitreous luster. The streak is white. Common colors include purple, violet, black.

Where is majorite found?+

Notable localities include Coorara meteorite, Australia; Kokchetav Massif, Kazakhstan; various diamond-bearing kimberlite pipes.

How much is majorite worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $100-500 per micro-mount or diamond inclusion sample. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like majorite?+

Majorite is most often confused with Pyrope, Almandite. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with majorite?+

Majorite commonly co-occurs with Diamond, Enstatite, Omphacite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does majorite form in?+

Majorite typically forms in mantle-derived xenoliths, kimberlites, meteorite impact sites. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is majorite used for?+

Majorite is used in collector, scientific research.

Find majorite on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.